Homeopathy works with us…not on us.

Deodorant; If You Want it Done Right, Do it Yourself

‘Looking for a source of high quality deodorant, worthy of your skin and subsequent delicate organs? Why, make it yourself! No need to read ingredients, no need to wonder what they really mean because you are the manufacturer.

Homeopaths recognize that the skin and internal organs are keenly connected. We also understand that anything that’s placed on the skin has the potential of being absorbed and forces the system to distribute. So salves, roll-ons, sprays and creams, particularly placed on a most tender and delicate area of the body are important considerations. Remember, the lymph nodes responsible for battling infection and such are only millimeters away from the underarm area. So, what we apply on our skin must be worthy of our entire system. Here’s a good rule to follow that I teach my students and clients:
If you wouldn’t eat it; don’t wear it!

Below are my favorite ingredients, chiefly because they’re edible, but also because they’re the properties we’re looking for in a quality deodorant. If you have suggestions, especially that would help minimize the liquidly result caused by coconut oil in warm temperatures, please let me know. We’ll adjust the recipe.

1) Let’s begin with coconut oil. It’s a good ingredient choice because it has natural antibacterial properties and is soothing and nourishing to delicate, underarm skin. The only trouble with coconut oil is that it melts in very warm weather, so I recommend keeping it in a tightly sealed container if traveling or in very hot weather. The importance of it in the diet should also be considered, but that’s the subject of another article.
2) Our second ingredient is baking soda which has a reputation for naturally antidoting odor and balancing the acid/alkaline of the skin. ‘Right out of the kitchen pantry!
3) And of course, essential oils have been employed in an effort to reduce odor, so I chose sage because it’s also reputed to have natural antiperspirant properties as well as a pleasing aroma. ‘Very fresh smelling.
4) Cornstarch is an acceptable addition as long as one isn’t allergic to corn. Be sure to buy the organic version. At some point, I’d like to find GMO-free , but for now it works to absorb wetness. I’m still experimenting with arrowroot powder and bentonite clay. ‘Will keep you updated.

Here’s my home made sage deodorant that’s been a staple for my clients for some time:

Gently warm the coconut oil so that it’s either slightly liquid-y or just soft enough to stir easily. Keeping it near the stove before mixing, will accomplish this. Combine all ingredients in a bowl using a spoon. Once thoroughly blended, spoon the mixture into a deodorant stick container and there you have it!

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It would seem that if there’s a concern about the oil melting in heat with the first recipe, adding more wouldn’t solve that problem. But I’m certainly not an expert. Just seeking to learn.

The coconut oil would have to be heated to melt the beeswax. Wonder the effect of cornstarch simmered in the oil since it thickens heated in other liquids. As it is, I’ve yet to see what it does in oil that is just softened.

Wonder about a gelled deodorant mixture that will apply and still do it’s intended duty.

I haven’t figured out how to keep bentonite clay from clumping when I add it to water. Don’t think a metal whisk is a good idea. Maybe I should add water to it. Again, it would be interesting to learn what that does with coconut oil in it’s various forms.

I’ve been using this deodorant for years. It works great! Just be aware that when you are transitioning to this natural deodorant it will take your body time to adjust and you may not think it works well. Hang in there. I was a profuse sweater and in just a couple of weeks of using this natural stuff I don’t sweat as much and it really does the trick!

I’ve been experimenting (no measuring, nothing exact) making my own deodorant for years. What I have found with beeswax is that: 1. it’s a wax; so it doesn’t allow you to sweat (what your body needs to do under armpits especially); 2. it’s yellow; so this seems to stain clothes. I’ve also tried parafin (white/clear) to firm up the deodorant stick, but that also is a wax and serves to seal up your pores. Not to mention parafin is a petroleum product, right? Not so desirable for armpits either.

After reading this post I’ve been trying rubbing some coconut oil on and following it with a dusting of my toothpowder (bakingsoda, french clay, and lemongrass essential oil). It seems to be working pretty good – at least better than with just bakingsoda. The french clay has some bonus beneficial properties anyway. I’m the opposite of the previous person above, I seem to build up a tolerance to deodorants; so I’m always looking for ideas! I’m excited to try Joette’s recipe….Thanks for coming up w/the ratios, Joette!

Another note on containers for deodorant. Rather than buying the containers, you can just collect/save old empty ones from family and friends (or yourself) to reuse. Also, yes, beware of coconut oil turning to liquid when the weather warms up. In the future I will only put deodorant in a tightly closing container – especially for traveling. Last summer I had deodorant leaking all over my bag.

If you wanted to firm up the deodorant (for warm weather) with beeswax, you can do it by first melting a little beeswax in a pyrex measuring cup hung by its handle into a small pot of nearly simmering water on the stove (as a makeshift double boiler). Once the beeswax is melted, add the coconut oil and stir with a small whisk or spoon until melted. Then add the baking soda and cornstarch, stir till smooth, and then add essential oils. A ratio of 1 part beeswax to 4 parts coconut oil has worked for me. Some people use butters such as cocoa butter and shea butter. I used a cocoa butter base the first time I made my own deodorant and found that after about a week I was breaking out in a sort of “armpit acne”! Other friends who tried the same recipe had the same experience! I have since learned that cocoa butter is comedogenic (pore clogging). There are many other butters out there to experiment with: mango butter, illipe butter, kokum butter, shea butter…. You can read about them and order from mountainroseherbs.com, which is a great source for quality ingredients. If you order be sure to request a catalog–they are great to browse through!